AMD PRO A4-8350B

The AMD PRO A4-8350B is a 2-core, 2-thread desktop processor built on the Steamroller architecture (Kaveri codename) at a 28 nm node from GlobalFoundries. It carries 2,411 million transistors on a 245 mm² die, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The part reached end-of-life status after its release on 2015-09-28, and it targets the AMD Socket FM2+ platform. Benchmark results place it at the 9th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 494. The following sections break down the platform, comparative standing, power characteristics, and workload fit based strictly on the available data.

Platform and Compatibility

The A4-8350B uses the AMD Socket FM2+ interface, which places it in the Kaveri generation of desktop processors. The silicon itself is manufactured by GlobalFoundries on a 28 nm process, integrating 2,411 million transistors into a 245 mm² die. Memory support is limited to DDR3 in a dual-channel configuration, delivering a peak memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported, so the platform is not aimed at error-correcting memory workloads. The CPU provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes available from the CPU only; there is no additional PCIe connectivity listed beyond those lanes.

Cache resources are modest: 128 KB of L1 cache and 1 MB of shared L2 cache, with no L3 cache present. The multiplier is locked, meaning the operating clock of 3.50 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost cannot be adjusted through multiplier changes. Integrated graphics are provided by the Radeon R5 GPU, which handles display output without a discrete graphics card. The processor was released on 2015-09-28 and is now marked end-of-life, so it is no longer in active production. The part number for this unit is AD835BYBI23JC.

For upgrade path considerations, the FM2+ socket is shared with other Kaveri-generation parts, but the end-of-life status and the locked multiplier limit future flexibility. The dual-channel DDR3 memory controller and 29.9 GB/s bandwidth are fixed attributes of the platform, so any platform-level upgrade would require a socket change. The 28 nm process and 2,411 million transistor count define the physical characteristics, while the absence of L3 cache and the small 1 MB shared L2 cache shape the performance ceiling.

How It Compares

The nearest rival, the AMD A6-6400K, matches the A4-8350B exactly in average benchmark score at 494, with a delta of 0%. This indicates that the two parts perform identically in aggregate benchmark terms, despite any architectural differences that may exist outside the data.

The AMD A10-5750M also posts an average score of 494, again with a 0% delta. This is notable because the A10-5750M is a mobile processor, yet its average benchmark result is indistinguishable from the desktop A4-8350B.

The AMD PRO A6-9500E trails by a hair, with an average score of 493 and a delta of 0.1%. The A4-8350B holds a marginal 0.1% lead over this rival, a difference that is within run-to-run noise in most benchmark scenarios.

The Intel Core i3-2120T is the farthest behind of the four, with an average score of 491 and a delta of 0.6%. The A4-8350B leads this Intel part by 0.6%, a small but consistent margin across the benchmark aggregate.

Taken together, these four rivals bracket the A4-8350B within a narrow performance band: the spread from the lowest score of 491 to the highest score of 494 is narrow, matching the 0.6% delta recorded against the Intel Core i3-2120T. The A4-8350B sits at the top of this cluster, but the margins are so slim that the practical performance difference is negligible.

Power and Thermals

The A4-8350B carries a TDP of 65 watts. This places it in a modest thermal class that does not demand high-end cooling hardware. A standard air cooler with adequate airflow is sufficient to manage the heat output of this 28 nm dual-core part. The 65W TDP, combined with the 28 nm process node and the 2,411 million transistor count, suggests a power envelope that is friendly to compact desktop builds. The locked multiplier means there is no overclocking headroom to push the thermal envelope higher, so the 65W figure represents the sustained design point rather than a worst-case overclock scenario. Users pairing this CPU with the integrated Radeon R5 graphics can run a fully integrated system without a discrete GPU, keeping the overall thermal load within the 65W CPU budget.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the AMD PRO A4-8350B use?

A: It uses the AMD Socket FM2+ interface.

Q: Does the A4-8350B support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported.

Q: What memory configuration does it support?

A: It supports DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, the multiplier is locked, so the 3.50 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost clocks are fixed.

Q: Does it have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes the Radeon R5 integrated GPU.

Q: Is this processor still in production?

A: No, it is end-of-life, having been released on 2015-09-28.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data for the A4-8350B spans several Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the processor scores 144. In Cinebench R20, the multicore score is 603 and the single-core score is 84. In Cinebench R23, the multicore score is 1436 and the single-core score is 202. These scores place the processor at the 9th percentile among all CPUs, meaning it outperforms only 9% of the tested population.

The average benchmark score across the suite is 494. Against its nearest rivals, the A4-8350B is exactly tied with the AMD A6-6400K (494, 0% delta) and the AMD A10-5750M (494, 0% delta). It leads the AMD PRO A6-9500E by 0.1% (493 average) and the Intel Core i3-2120T by 0.6% (491 average). These deltas are small enough that the A4-8350B, the A6-6400K, and the A10-5750M are effectively interchangeable in benchmark terms, while the PRO A6-9500E and i3-2120T sit marginally behind.

The single-core and multicore scores reveal the dual-core, dual-thread design. In Cinebench R23, the multicore score of 1436 is substantially higher than the single-core score of 202, reflecting the scaling of the two cores in multi-threaded workloads. The same pattern appears in R20, where the multicore score of 603 far exceeds the single-core score of 84. However, the absolute values remain low in the global distribution, consistent with the 9th percentile ranking. The 9th percentile is the key takeaway: this is a low-performance part by modern standards. The 494 average score and the narrow delta band (0% to 0.6%) against rivals confirm that it competes only within a very specific low-end segment.

Who Should Consider It

The A4-8350B is best suited for basic computing tasks where multi-threaded performance is not a priority. The 2-core, 2-thread configuration and the 9th percentile ranking indicate that it can handle office productivity, web browsing, and document editing without issue, but it will struggle with demanding creation workloads. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 1436 and the R20 multicore score of 603 are low enough that video rendering, 3D modeling, and heavy compilation tasks are outside its comfort zone.

For gaming, the integrated Radeon R5 graphics provide display output, but the CPU's low benchmark standing suggests that modern gaming workloads — which typically rely on strong single-core performance — would be limited. The single-core R23 score of 202 and R20 single-core score of 84 place it in the lower tier of the performance distribution.

Users already invested in the FM2+ platform who need a low-TDP (65W) replacement or a modest-performance part may find the A4-8350B adequate for light workloads. The locked multiplier and end-of-life status mean it is not a platform for enthusiasts or future upgrades. The Radeon R5 integrated GPU eliminates the need for a discrete graphics card in basic systems, making it a complete package for simple desktop builds. However, for anyone needing more than the 9th-percentile performance level, the data clearly points to more capable alternatives in the broader market.